"J Christ" is a song by American rapper Lil Nas X. It was released as a single on January 12, 2024, through Columbia Records.[1] The imagery of the accompanying music video draws on stories in the Bible.

"J Christ"
Single by Lil Nas X
from the album Dreamboy
ReleasedJanuary 12, 2024 (2024-01-12)
Length2:33
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lil Nas X singles chronology
"Star Walkin' (League of Legends Worlds Anthem)"
(2022)
"J Christ"
(2024)
"Where Do We Go Now?"
(2024)
Music video
"J Christ" on YouTube

Background and promotion

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On January 3, 2024, Lil Nas X announced the release of his next single slated for release on January 12.[2] The rapper then started teasing towards a new era in early January 2024 by setting up a website containing religious and satanic imagery, prompting fans to "save him".[3] He revealed the song title and its artwork on his social media on January 8.[4] In another tweet, Hill shared a short clip promoting the track.[5] "J Christ" precedes the release of his documentary Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero on HBO and Max on January 27.[6]

Music video

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The song's music video was written and directed by Lil Nas X, with filming taking place in Mexico City.[7] The music video premiered on January 12, 2024. It starts with a line of look-alikes resembling celebrities such as singers Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, television personality Oprah Winfrey, and former President of the United States Barack Obama walking up a stairway to Heaven. The next shot features Lil Nas X, walking in Heaven after the gates open and waving to a moonwalking Michael Jackson lookalike.

The camera pans down to Hell, with a demonic Lil Nas X now boiling human body parts. Back in Heaven, Lil Nas X plays a basketball game against Satan and scores a slam dunk. Then he performs a cheerleading sequence with other cheerleaders. The next shot features Lil Nas X being crucified similar to Jesus and being praised, before changing to a shot of Lil Nas X shearing a lamb, before panning again to him appearing in a fashion show; the show is watched by Ts Madison, who ends up alarmed with the news of a global flood. The next shot features Lil Nas X, now dressed up like Noah, leading an army of animals to an ark before the huge storm and flood hits; during the flood, Lil Nas X, sporting a golden cross, performs choreography on a rooftop, with a glowing red cross on the right side, which is a possible reference to "Starboy" by The Weeknd. The video ends with Lil Nas X, now on the ark, sailing across the global flood. As sunshine breaks through, text appears on the screen, reading "Day Zero - A New Beginning" and "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)"[8][9]

Charts

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Chart performance for "J Christ"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[10] 38
Australia New Music Singles (ARIA)[11] 19
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] 67
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[13] 21
Global 200 (Billboard)[14] 91
Netherlands (Tipparade)[15] 20
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[16] 8
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[17] 56
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 2
UK Singles (OCC)[19] 59
US Billboard Hot 100[20] 69
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21] 30
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[22] 21
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[23] 20

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "J Christ"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various January 12, 2024 Columbia [24]
Italy Radio airplay Sony Italy [25]

References

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  1. ^ "Lil Nas X Admits He 'Messed up Really Bad' with His Controversial 'J Christ' Promo". Rolling Stone. January 15, 2024.
  2. ^ Trapp, Malcolm (January 3, 2024). "Lil Nas X Announces New Single And Video Dropping Next Week: "Y'all Ready For A Show?"". Rap-Up. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  3. ^ Abraham, Mya (January 5, 2024). "'Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero' Documentary Set To Premiere on HBO And Max". Vibe. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Torres, Eric (January 8, 2024). "Lil Nas X Is on the Cross for New Single "J Christ"". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Fu, Eddie (January 8, 2024). "Lil Nas X Announces New Single "J Christ"". Consequence. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  6. ^ Smyth, Tom (January 7, 2024). "Lil Nas X Is Teasing His Return". Vulture. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Daw, Stephen (January 12, 2024). "Lil Nas X Resurrects Himself on New Single 'J CHRIST': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  8. ^ Blistein, Jon (January 12, 2024). "'He Has Risen: Lil Nas X Returns With New 'J. Christ' Video'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Duong, Paul (January 12, 2024). "'Video: Lil Nas X "J Christ"'". Rap Radar. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  10. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  11. ^ "ARIA Top 20 New Music Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  12. ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  13. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  14. ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  15. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 4, 2024" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  16. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  17. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 4. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  18. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 3". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  20. ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  21. ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  22. ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  23. ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  24. ^ Gonzalez, Alex (January 12, 2024). "Lil Nas X Makes A Comeback in His New 'J Christ' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  25. ^ Micaletto, Ylenia (January 12, 2024). "Lil Nas X - J CHRIST (Radio Date: 12-01-2024)". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved January 14, 2024.